Sustainability is defined as our ability to meet our present needs without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet their own. The three Es (Economy, Ecology, and Equality) and the three Ps (People, Planet, Profit) are simple guides for sustainability as a consideration in decision-making.

These ideals can combine with 3 current pillars of architecture to come up with a new series of precepts: program, economy, operation, and harmony.

-Program describes the purpose of the building and its ability to carry out that function for the ease and comfort of those who would inhabit it. It is most concerned with people and the human element of the architectural experience.

-Economy speaks to the ability of a building to stand and is concerned primarily with its production and use of materials both physical and nonphysical. It is most concerned with the component parts of that which makes up a building and minimizing waste.

-Operation is all about the performance of a building in all of the non-human aspects, such as light, air, water, and energy. Economy and operation are strongly related and are opposite sides of the same coin; one has profound effects on the other.

-Finally, harmony is an expression of the building as a whole and how well it relates to itself, the world around it, and those who use it. It is the most subjective of the pillars and is mostly aesthetic. Similar to the relationship of economy to operation, harmony is the reciprocal of program; one is the consideration of the building unto itself, the other the consideration of the building unto the world...

In the weeks to come, these four pillars will be covered in more depth looking at the theoretical, practical, and technological ins and outs of Sustainable architecture- the International Style of the 21st century.

This article gave me an idea for a design task activity consisting of making your own sustainable building. If I were to ever create this activity I'd probably find an old building in the city that was going to be knocked down and create a story that the students had to design the replacement. I'd give criteria based around sustainable practices as well as what functions the building must have. The main focus I'd give them would be that the building needs to meet the needs of the residents without compromising future generations. From this resource I would take the three Ps mention - Purpose (does it fulfill the purpose for which it was designed), Physical (does it achieve the physical requirements given) and Pleasing (does it look good). If I really wanted to extend this task I could create a budget for the building in which the students would have to manage during its creation. I'd definitely do this as a group task because collaboration between students always generates more ideas.

The number of women in the profession is on the up, according to the latest figures released by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)

Women now make up a quarter of all the architects on the ARB register, edging up from 22 per cent last year.

There are currently 8,857 female architects registered with the ARB – up from 7,538 last year. The total number of qualified architects registered with the board is 35,157 - of those 31,290 are based in the UK.

The figures for the year ending 31 December 2014 show that 781 female architects joined the register for the first time, making up 41 per cent of all new applicants.

New admissions for both male and female architects saw a rise with the highest level of new applicants since the register was established as part of the 1997 Architects Act.

In 2014 there were a record 1906 new admissions – an increase of almost 27 per cent on 2013’s previous all-time-high of 1504.

Ian Ritchie’s animosity towards the ‘flawed and unnecessary’ Garden Bridge is not shared by most Londoners, argues executive director of the Garden Bridge Trust Bee Emmott

London has earned its reputation as a world-leading city, where new ideas take flight and set new milestones for others to follow. So when Ian Ritchie asks what problem the Garden Bridge solves, surely we must be bolder, go beyond simply function and seek out the ideas, opportunities and the inspiration it presents.

The Garden Bridge, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, will break new territory worthy of its world-first label. It will create a new route for pedestrians, taking people through a new, free public garden in the heart of urbanised London, improving the pedestrian experience and creating an oasis of calm and beauty.

The Bridge will feature 2,500m⊃2; of brand new garden, connecting existing ecologies of the North and South Bank and London’s wider patchwork of habitats. There will be hundreds of new trees and thousands more plants, shrubs and bulbs attracting new wildlife. As a new “green corridor” across the Thames, it will benefit wildlife and pollinators, with carefully selected plants to improve biodiversity potential.

Ritchie talks about the Bridge being ‘private’ and of possible toll charges (see AJ 28.07.15). The Garden Bridge will in fact be free to use, open from 6am until midnight 365 days a year. It will genuinely be open to everyone – somewhere to linger and admire the city and will also provide a route for commuters. Cyclists can push their bikes across, or use alternative routes nearby, so those on foot can safely enjoy the crossing. Security and lighting will be discreet and appropriate.

The funding of the Bridge combines public and private sector funding, with over 65 per cent of the capital costs to build it fundraised from the private sector. More than £125 million has been pledged already and a business plan will cover the £2.8 million annual maintenance and operations costs. Transport for London and the Government have together contributed £60 million in total.

The bridge will stitch our divided city together In terms of transport the bridge will improve connectivity on both sides of the River, with a direct link to Temple Underground reducing pressure on Waterloo Station. It complements and contributes to the Mayor’s transport strategy targets. The Bridge is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses on both sides of the river and the economic benefits will be- close to £500 million over 60 years through employment, investment and tourism.

The Garden Bridge is an exciting opportunity to nourish areas long both side of the Thames, improving the quality of the public realm and providing new walking routes to and from places such as Covent Garden, Soho and Waterloo.

The Bridge is going to help stitch our divided city together and connect London.

Today the Trust has published recent research that shows huge support for the Garden Bridge in London. Over three quarters of Londoners support the bridge being built (78 per cent) with support in Westminster and Lambeth, where the bridge crosses the Thames, at 77 per cent. Londoners clearly have more imagination and vision than Ian Ritchie.

Bee Emmott, is executive director of the Garden Bridge Trust

Mark Warren's insight:

The Garden Bridge, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, will break new territory worthy of its world-first label.

Renowned Chilean architect Cristián Undurraga has created a standout pavilion for this year’s World Exposition. Inspired by “the art of hospitality” the Chile pavilion features a dramatic external wooden facade and stretches over 1,910 sq m (20,560 sq ft).

The owners of London’s Walkie Talkie have been asked to reconfigure the controversial tower’s Sky Garden after complaints the built scheme didn’t match consented plans

Mark Warren's insight:

The report lists a number of inconsistencies with the original illustrations, including a missing terrace, staircase and servery, as well as a terrace and servery being built larger than on the original plan.

Researchers at the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin has developed a "smart window" technology that allows the passage of visible light while blocking heat, or vice versa.

Mark Warren's insight:

the research team created an electrochromic material that's able to transmit or block light depending on the electric potential applied.

so far the region has seen little of the profits made by the energy firms, many of which are accused of making fraudulent claims for funds.

Mark Warren's insight:

On the outskirts of Narbolia near the island's western coast, one such plant sprawls across the town's most fertile fields. Over 107,000 solar panels sit atop the roofs of some 1,600 greenhouses, in which the owners had promised to grow aloe plants.

But with the sunlight shut out by the panels, nothing grows there but weeds.

Architects taking part in the RIBA’s monthly barometer of industry confidence have reported the highest level of positivity about workloads in the survey’s six-year history

The Future Trends Workload Index reached a new high of +44 in June, up from +37 the previous month, indicating a further growth in the proportion of practices expecting their workloads to increase in the next quarter.

The figure is the highest rating the index has registered since the survey began in 2009. It added that regionally the Midlands and East Anglia were the most confident areas of the UK, while firms that employed 51 or more staff were the most confident by business size.

RIBA director of practice Adrian Dobson said the profession was confident about its work pipeline and ‘beginning to feel the invigorating effects’ of a sustained period of real growth.

Mark Warren's insight:

Dobson said the private housing sector appeared to be ‘the primary driver’

Jono Williams has taken the concept of the man-cave to new heights. Looking something like a giant steel lollipop, Williams' Skysphere is a solar-powered, Android-controlled hideaway perched high above the New Zealand countryside that would put even the most painstakingly decked-out shed to shame.

Mark Warren's insight:

The Skysphere provides a 360-degree viewing window that is 2 m (7 ft) high and has a circumference of 14 m (46 ft).

The Glass & Glazing Federation says it will work with the Government in seeking a new strategy on energy efficiency in the country’s homes

Mark Warren's insight:

the GGF is keen to work constructively with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and will be contacting them to discuss a new proposal from an industry perspective, offering our expertise, suggestions and solutions.”

hubs promises to make building an open geodesic dome easy and quick, with construction time rated as under an hour. Its creators cite possible uses for the dome as a garden room, aviary, chicken run, chidren's den, and more.

We look forward to the entries into this years competition. The deadline for all entries is the 24th July 2015. Please click the button below to enter into your relevant category and send us any supporting material.

Mark Warren's insight:

Entry Deadline Extended! - The G-Awards 2015 - Congratulations to all the winners of the G14 Awards! This years event is set to be equally exciting

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